Prepare for your first weight-management consultation

Gather the information you already have

Stela starts care with an assessment and consultation. The Ministry of Health’s adult weight-management guidance describes assessment as a review of health history and relevant contributing factors. The guidance was published in 2017; it is background for the conversation, not a current prescribing checklist. See sources.

• Your current medicines, supplements and any allergies.
• Relevant health conditions, previous procedures and the clinicians involved in your care.
• Past approaches to weight management, including what was practical and what was not.
• Recent test results or letters you already have, with their dates.
• Your main concerns, preferences and any limits on time or budget.

If something is missing, tell the team. Ask how to share health records appropriately rather than sending documents through a channel you have not confirmed.

Describe a typical day, not an ideal day

Notes about ordinary routines can make your questions more specific. You might describe when you work, when meals happen, who shops or cooks, and what makes appointments difficult to attend.

There is no need to create a perfect food diary or change your routine to make the notes look better. Ask the clinic whether it needs any particular records. If tracking food or weight feels distressing, mention that before starting a new tracking routine.

Questions to ask during the consultation

1. What information do you still need before we can decide on a plan?
2. What options are appropriate to discuss in my circumstances?
3. What are the possible benefits, risks and practical commitments?
4. Would I need tests, an examination or another appointment?
5. Who should I contact with questions after today?
6. When will we review the plan, and what should I bring to that review?

You can ask for unfamiliar terms to be explained. Health New Zealand’s telehealth guidance encourages patients to ask the clinician to repeat information so both people can confirm their understanding.

Leave with a clear next step

Before the appointment ends, write down what was agreed, who is arranging it and when you should hear back. A consultation may lead to further information gathering rather than an immediate treatment decision.

Keep the practical arrangements separate: the assessment, appointment, any tests and any pharmacy supply can involve different steps. Read our budget planning guide if you want to prepare questions about the full cost.

For the video setup itself, use the online appointment checklist. Stela’s confirmation instructions should take priority for its specific appointment platform.